Our minds are perhaps the most powerful tools we have. When faced with the ups and downs of our everyday lives, we have the ability to influence our situations by focusing on mindset shift practices. These practices, mostly simple in their nature, are unbelievably effective in channelizing good vibes.
“Once your mindset changes, everything on the outside will change along with it.”
Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free
Life is a journey dotted with a myriad of experiences- some good and some bad. We often find ourselves getting sidelined by the unpleasant bits so much so that we tend to think that we do not have any way of finding the light again. But, as the saying goes, time and tide wait for no man. Bad times do not last. However, it sure brings us down in the dumps sometimes.
So, what can we do in such situations?
One effective way to look beyond and attract positive vibes to our lives is by practicing mindset shift techniques. At first glance, it may seem too good to be true. But it has been proven time and again that how we see a situation impacts how we feel about it.
What Exactly is Mindset Shift?
In simple terms, mindset shift refers to the act of changing the way we think of things. It can mean developing a new thought process or altering how we look at a particular situation.
Our internal monologues vastly impact our response to a particular scenario. Usually, this response decides how a particular life event unfolds and what we experience from it. By changing the way we perceive a specific situation, we can also influence the outcomes to some extent.
The whole philosophy of mindset shift is based on this principle. A lot of it is intertwined with mindfulness practices as well.
Now, let’s take a look at some practices that can help with channelizing good vibes, even during darker times.
1. Focus on the Journey Instead of the Outcome
It is not unusual for us to get sidelined by the end goal, especially while dealing with a daunting task. As a result, we fret about the “what will be” and forget to focus on the “what is”. To me, this is a recipe for anxiety and stress. Life has this beautiful way of unfolding at its pace. By focusing on the journey instead of the outcome, you can take one step at a time.
The path eventually becomes clearer and you will find purpose along the way. While the destination is important, the journey itself merits more attention sometimes. Enjoy the rainbow before you reach the pot of gold!
Here is a favorite poem that captures this sentiment wondrously.
Ithaka
As you set out for Ithaka
C.P Cavafy
hope your road is a long one,
full of adventure, full of discovery. more
2. Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining
This is essentially about having the mindset of seeing the glass half full. There is always something to learn from even the most difficult of times. We can choose to only look at the things that aren’t going right and complain. Or we can make the choice to find that shining silver lining and try to endure.
This is easier said than done. However, the way we think has the potential to actually change situations. Being an overall positively inclined person is always good for mental health.
3. Change is the Only Constant
When I was an undergrad student, someone had graffitied this line on a wall in the college campus. Ever since then this simple line has stuck with me. So true and yet we forget it so often. As human beings, we are inherently fearful of change that we forget it can also bring some wonderful things to our lives.
Hence, be open to change. I know it is not easy and can seem to be scary at first. But time makes it easier. The moment you shift your mindset to accept the fact that change will happen, however much you resist it, things begin to fall in place. I can say this with conviction because I have experienced it in my life.
Imagine a life that remains stagnant for years. Not a pretty picture, is it? Shifting your thought process to genuinely believe that change is truly the one constant of our lives, can work wonders for your psyche and help you channelize positive vibes.
4. From “I Must” To “I Want To”
We often curb our capabilities with limiting thoughts that start with “I must”. The moment you start thinking this way, you bind yourselves to certain imaginary rules. Ultimately, you end up not liking what you do simply because you think that there is no other way.
But what if, instead, you start telling yourself “I want to…” The possibilities are endless in that case. You do things because that’s what you want, not because someone or something dictates you that way.
Having control is important. Sometimes, a simple mindset shift in your internal monologue is enough to gain back that control.
5. Do You Really Need to Feel Guilt?
Think of all those times when you went ahead and felt guilty for something that wasn’t even your fault. It could be because you are busier than usual at work and spending less time with family. Or it could be because you had to say no to someone or something since you had prior engagements. Whatever the reasons are, ask yourself- “ Do I really need to feel guilty about this?”
The honest answer in most cases would be a no. The moment you realize that and break that cycle of guilt, you will find more positivity. Develop a mindset of self-love and understand that you are not responsible for everything.
Only when you change how you think about yourself, you will welcome more good vibes into your life.
Break the Cycle
At any given point in time, we hold this power in our hands to transform our mindset. While it might seem to be a tiny step, it surely has enormous impacts on our lives. By making the conscious choice of changing how you think about or visualize your circumstances, you can successfully channelize a ton of positive energy and good vibes into your life.
And, honestly, I think we all can do with a bit more positivity in this world.
Peace.
Do you have any related experience or story to tell? Please share in the comments below. I would love to hear from you.
